#009 - Cultivating Gratitude: Overcoming Cognitive Biases for a Happier Life

Gratitude can sometimes feel like a challenge, but why is that?

In this episode Brent Diggs and Arron Shafer dive into the psychology behind gratitude, exploring why it’s often hard to practice, why it’s so important, and most importantly, how you can get better at it.

We’ll break it down using three key cognitive biases:

• Negativity Bias: Why we focus more on the bad than the good.
• WYSIATI (What You See Is All There Is): How limited information shapes our perspective.
• Hedonic Treadmill: The cycle of constantly chasing more without appreciating what we have.

Plus, we’ll talk about the impact of System 1 and System 2 thinking from Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow, and how these two systems influence our ability to feel and express gratitude.

If you’ve ever wondered why gratitude can sometimes feel elusive, or why it’s essential for mental well-being, this video is for you! Let’s explore how we can improve our ability to embrace and practice gratitude daily.

Chapters:
(00:00:00) - Introduction to Gratitude
(00:01:57) - The Challenge of Gratitude – Why is it So Difficult?
(00:04:01) - Negativity Bias Explained (00:08:04) - WYSIATI: What You See Is All There Is
(00:13:40) - Hedonic Adaptation and Emotional Set Points
(00:18:09) - The Benefits of Practicing Gratitude
(00:21:42) - The Hero’s Journey and Gratitude
(00:25:11) - Movie Examples: Groundhog Day & Up
(00:29:40) - Cutting Free from the Past (00:32:40) – System 1 vs System 2
(00:34:28) - Practical Tips for Cultivating Gratitude
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Recommended Episodes
#007 - Legacy and Return: A Hero's Reward - https://tinyurl.com/td2kexff
#008 - Values and Purpose: A Guide to a Meaningful Life - https://tinyurl.com/539f7sb
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